Builder Gel (Medium)

I’ll explain the photos at the end. First I’ll talk about what I use this for, my level of experience, and how it performs in terms of application, curing, filing & shaping, strength, and wear/retention. I am not a nail tech. I’m a product of years and years of YouTube university. I watch all kinds of nail education videos in some of my spare time - and with my other spare time, I do friends’ nails regularly, back to back. I don’t work with acrylic. And I’m not an expert by any means! I’ve used builder gel for a few years now for different reasons - usually sculpted extensions or overlays. I’ve grown accustomed to the ones in the bottle but I had never used one in a pot! After a while, I realized how much builder gel I was going through and decided to try this. I agonized over the color because if I got it wrong, there was no way I was going to use it up before it expired. Well, baby pink is PERFECT. For basically everything. It isn’t too pink or too white. It isn’t too opaque either. It’s easy to work with. Unless it’s a cold day, in which case I’d recommend what the packaging says about soaking it in warm water to loosen up the product. It truly is easier after that. I’ve tried making it work when it’s cold and it’s a lot more tricky. I love that it has a medium viscosity - harder to flood cuticles and sidewalls this way. I use a round brush for application. I’ve tried a square and that was bad😂. Go with small round brush! I apply it over the gelish ph bond, pro bond, and base coat. It’s a great combo in my experience. Which I’ll address later. Application is easy after applying a slip layer. I just “print” side to side to work it down the nail and it ends up being pretty smooth! Usually I can get it to self level before curing and save myself time on filing later. Sometimes I need to use a liner brush or flip the nail to get the apex where it needs to be. Curing is straightforward! As I go from nail to nail I just flash cure so I can move on without flooding, but then I do a full minute and that seems to do it! The product is hard and strong. Filing and shaping is easy. I use either a medium or fine bit since the product isn’t as hard as acrylic for example. And it works well! I then hand file to refine the free edge and it happens quickly with this product. It lasts for 2 weeks with usually almost no lifting, 3 weeks with minimal lifting. The only time someone came back after 4 weeks due to availability, the product still hung on super well and I didn’t have to fix nearly as much lifting as I thought. The combo of the aforementioned prep products seems to work well. Only recently did I switch to a sanding band for backfills instead of a buffer so I’ll update this review if retention changes! To explain the photos: -The first photo is a backfill I did with this product. This is how the color looks as a backdrop for nail art after using a considerable amount to infill and rebalance. -The second photo is an example of what the color looks like when used for an extension (I used paper/sticker forms). -The third photo is an overlay on the natural nail. Hopefully that can help with an understanding of opacity. -The last photo is an overlay underneath some nail art. Hopefully all of these photos help you decide what color you need! Overall, love this product and will probably buy it again when I run out.

This Hard Builder Gel is one of the best gels I’ve used for nail extensions! The consistency is perfect not too thick, not too runny which makes application super easy and smooth. It self-l levels beautifully and cures evenly without bubbles or heat spikes. The strength is incredible; nails stay strong and durable with a natural look. I also love the clarity and shine after curing it gives such a professional finish every time. Whether you’re a beginner or a nail tech, this gel is definitely worth having in your kit!

This is genuinely hema free. It’s a great consistency, a little goes a long way. It works best with rubber base under it and keeps my nails strong.

Soft # 4 is AMAZING. Finally found the look I’ve wanted for so long!! First of all, this builder gel is the perfect color. I typically use Young nails synergy gel. They don’t have a color like this so I took a risk and looked here on Amazon. I looked at so many different gels and this seemed like the closest thing to what I’ve been wanting, so I figured I would try it! OMG- Finally the exact look I have been wanting (without having to layer different gel polishes to TRY to achieve it). Here’s the deal, working with this product is a learning curve. It is definitely a little runnier than Young Nails builder gel (sort of has an Elmer’s glue consistency), but if you work quickly, it creates a beautiful nail. It self-levels quickly and beautifully. 🌟Be sure to: Cure under UV light after EACH nail for 15 to 20 seconds so they set and don’t run in to cuticle! Once you have all five done from a hand, then let it sit for a good 60 seconds under the UV light. What I think is the most amazing about this product is once you learn how to do it correctly you do not have to drill it down and buff and file and spend extra time. The photos and video I am posting are from just using the builder gel, curing, and removing the tacky layer with alcohol. No top coat, nothing!! Soooo much faster!! Your first couple times you might have to do the final smoothing and drilling if it doesn’t level out the way you want, but eventually you’ll be able to do it correctly and quickly!! 100% worth every penny…I would even gladly pay more for this builder gel. Have FUN!!💅💕

This product is easy to use and I love the colour. I have been using it for months and will continue to use it!